With two exciting plays, the Millennium Institute of Oceanography (IMO) (hosted at the University of Concepción), arrived at the Museum of Natural History of Concepción and the hills of Talcahuano during these winter holidays.
This is a scientific outreaching initiative of the Millennium Institute of Oceanography (IMO) financed by the National Public Science Competition to promote the distribution, access and free use of outreaching products 2023, of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation and, which includes a total of 20 storytelling performances with entertaining puppets about “Tales from the Ocean: Tony Tonina's Scientific Recipe.”
The book of Tales from the Ocean is an original text of eight stories, written by the writer Carolina Moena Rossi and illustrated by the coordinator of IMO linkage activities and scientific illustrator, Felipe Gamonal Aliste. The book is inspired by the children's animated television series “Tony Tonina's Scientific Recipe”, developed by the institute in 2015 and available at www.tonytonina.cl. The saga is based on the adventures of Tony Tonina and his tireless adventure companions - Estelita, Lala, Micro and Don Gritardo - who work at the Sabores Submarinos restaurant, located under the waters of the Pacific Ocean.
In this 2024 version, presented as a storyteller, the characters of Tony Tonina (Chilean dolphin) and Estelita (starfish) come to life through puppets and the character of the evil Garbage Monster, who threatens to pollute the ocean, also debuts.
To date IMO has already performed 25 plays, captivating girls and boys in various communities in the Biobío, Ñuble and Metropolitana regions of Chile
“In the 35-minute storyteller performance, we tell one of the stories from the book and the narration is accompanied by the character puppets, motivating the interaction and direct participation between the narrator, the puppets and the audience,” explains the deputy director of outreaching in the Millennium Institute of Oceanography, also director of the project and the person in charge this year for bringing the puppets to life, Bárbara Léniz Genta. “The story takes a tour of different marine ecosystems with the aim of showing how important the ocean is for us and for all life on our planet, at the same time, we invite people to become aware of marine pollution and the care we must take with the ocean” she added.
In this sense, Bárbara Léniz highlights the importance of scientifically literate the new generations, to encourage their critical thinking, generating social appropriation of science, the ocean and its conservation, for the the adults of tomorrow.
Winter Break
During the winter vacation week, two successful performances were held. Both were told by Magdalena Alegría Léniz, an eight-year-old girl, which has had a factor of closeness and excellent reception from the children. “The children feel very identified with her and the modality of her function takes them out of the adult-centered world, where it is common for adults to do things for children. In this case, we show them that children can also do things for children,” said Bárbara Léniz, Magdalena's mother.
The first function was held at the Concepción Natural History Museum, MHNC (June 29) with an enthusiastic family audience. The activity ended with the delivery of gift storybooks to attendees.
“The reception from the public was very positive, not only were we able to enjoy and learn from a beautiful storyteller, but also, each family group received the book Tales from the Ocean: The Scientific Recipe by Tony Tonina as a gift, which was a beautiful surprise.” said the person in charge of the educational area of the MHNC, Evelyn Elgueta Villablanca. “I am very happy with the result and grateful for these enriching synergies for the people who visit the Concepción Natural History Museum, a public space at the service of the community; Furthermore, the fact that the story is told by an 8-year-old girl has great value, since she speaks of the protagonism of childhoods, which feel directly challenged and inspired,” she stressed.
The second function (July 3), which was carried out thanks to the organization of the Foundation of the Families of the Hills of Talcahuano and the support in the management and execution of the Environment Directorate of the First Municipality of Talcahuano, featured the participation of 18 girls and boys between 5 and 8 years old, coming from different sectors of the hills of the commune.
The second function (July 3), which was carried out thanks to the organization of the Foundation of the Families of the Hills of Talcahuano and the support in the management and execution of the Environment Directorate of the First Municipality of Talcahuano, featured the participation of 18 girls and boys between 5 and 8 years old, coming from different sectors of the hills of the commune.
"Girls and boys from highly vulnerable sectors have many cultural deficiencies, they are young children who do not have reading habits, they practically do not read. The storyteller in which they participated gave them a playful learning space, which also incorporated technology and an important person who He made the reading very close to their age. It is a good bet to add the puppets that are from other times, technology and a girl who, in this case, interacts with both. A new experience for younger children. sectors stigmatized by society, without many opportunities to recreate and learn at the same time. Promoting in them the desire to know is a great responsibility and programs like these are relevant because they are striking, visually, physically. I am very grateful,” she revealed. the director of the Families Foundation, Talcahuano Center, Lilian Varela Poblete.
The function ended with the delivery of IMO books to the Families Foundation and the special gift of two books to two enthusiastic attendees who showed great interest in the ocean theme, at the end of the function.
“Our evaluation is really positive, considering how playful and dynamic the activity was, suitable and creative for the audience, who witnessed the storyteller. The participating boys and girls benefited in different areas, recognizing the main environmental threats, which involve daily actions on what affect the environment. Considering the importance of caring for our oceans and identifying the main actions that children can do to care for the ocean,” says the person in charge of the Home Composting Program of the Environmental Directorate of the Municipality of Talcahuano, Daniela Sagredo Astudillo.
“Clearly, we have considered this activity in other instances where the target audience is in accordance with this incredible storyteller,” said Daniela Sagredo.
The Tales of the Ocean, in PDF version (https://bit.ly/3WcduvS) and as storytellers in podcast format on Spotify, are available for free at: www.imo-chile.com/vinculacion. More information or questions about the functions to barbara.leniz@imo-chile.cl
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